Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Make firefox use a directory other than ~/.mozilla

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by John99

more options

I want to use several firefox versions and 'flavors' (plugin sets) simultaneously. Is there an environment variable or a command line option that tells firefox which directory to use for its data? If there's not any, where can I find it in the source?

I want to use several firefox versions and 'flavors' (plugin sets) simultaneously. Is there an environment variable or a command line option that tells firefox which directory to use for its data? If there's not any, where can I find it in the source?

All Replies (6)

more options

I am not a linux user, and not on my usual machine for accessing bookmarked items but look into Profile manager and articles about profiles eg: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_multiple_profiles_-_Firefox

more options

Profiles aren't flexible enough for me, I'm afraid.

more options

The profiles are what firefox uses for its data. There are command line options, also methods of creating profiles that do not display in the profile manager, as mentioned in the last article I linked to.

Certainly I can work with multiple instances of firefox on a Windows machine.

more options

I cannot put a profile on a flash stick, can I? Or in an encrypted container, can I? I can't use different plug-ins with different profiles, can I?

I'm NOT interested in profiles, please answer to the question as stated!

more options

If you want to start Firefox with a profile at a specific location then you can add the full absolute path to the command line of the shortcut to start Firefox. Doing that on Linux shouldn't be a problem because Linux doesn't use drive letters that change.

See -profile "/path/to/profile"

more options

I can't use different plug-ins with different profiles, can I? Yes , I often do.

"I cannot put a profile on a flash stick, can I?" Yes see answer above from cor-el